Object Recognition and Presentation for the Visually Impaired

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for object recognition and presentation are provided. An example apparatus may include a camera, an assistance feedback device, an input device, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured receive an image from the camera, compare characteristic features within the image to an object identification dataset to identify object matches for a plurality of objects within the image, receive a selected name of an identified object from the user via the input device, and transmit assistance feedback to the user indicating a position of the selected object within the field of view via the assistance feedback device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/371,919 filed on Aug. 8, 2016, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments generally relate to visual imagery analysis and,more particularly, relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods foranalyzing visual imagery data for presentation in usable formats for thevisually impaired.

BACKGROUND

The ability for humans to visually sense features within the environmentis a fundamental capability that enables effortless interaction witheveryday objects. Too frequently, individuals find themselves withlimited or severely impaired vision due to degenerative disorders,trauma, or other diseases. Such impairment can make mobility andinteraction with objects an arduous task. While some solutions areavailable to assist the visually impaired in narrowly tailored ways,these solutions are often limited in applicability due to the fragmentednature of the solutions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

Various example embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods forobject recognition and presentation for the visually impaired areprovided herein. One example method may comprise capturing by a cameraan image of a field of view of the camera, and comparing, by processingcircuitry, characteristic features within the image to an objectidentification dataset to identify reference object image matches for aplurality of objects within the image. The plurality of objectsidentified in the image may be identified objects. The example methodmay further comprise determining, by the processing circuitry, a namefor each identified object from the object identification dataset,determining, by the processing circuitry, locations of the identifiedobjects within the field of view, and receiving, by an input device, auser request to communicate the identified objects within the field ofview to the user. Further, the example method may comprise transmitting,by an output device, the name of each identified object in response toreceiving the user request, receiving, by the input device, a selectedname from the user, and determining, by the processing circuitry, aselected object based on the selected name. The selected object may beone of the identified objects. Additionally, the example method maycomprise providing, by a visual prosthesis, assistance feedback to theuser indicating a position of the selected object within the field ofview.

An example system for object recognition and presentation is provided.In this regard, the example system may comprise a camera, an audiooutput device, an audio input device, a visual prosthesis, andprocessing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured tocapture, via the camera, an image of a field of view of the camera, andcompare characteristic features within the image to an objectidentification dataset to identify object matches for a plurality ofobjects within the image. The plurality of objects identified in theimage may be identified objects. The processing circuitry may be furtherconfigured to determine a name for each identified object from theobject identification dataset, determine locations of the identifiedobjects within the field of view, and receive a user request, via theaudio input device, to communicate the objects within in the field ofview to the user. The processing circuitry may be further configured totransmit, via the audio output device, the name of each identifiedobject in response to receiving the user request, receive, via the audioinput device, a selected name from the user, and determine a selectedobject based on the selected name. The selected object may be one of theidentified objects. The processing circuitry may be further configuredto provide, via the visual prosthesis, assistance feedback to the useras a rendered modified image that indicates a position of the selectedobject within the field of view.

An example apparatus for object recognition and presentation isprovided. The example apparatus may comprise a camera configured tocapture an image of a field of view and to transmit that image. Thecamera may be in communication with processing circuitry. The exampleapparatus may further comprise an assistance feedback device incommunication with the processing circuitry, and an input device incommunication with the processing circuitry. The processing circuitrymay be configured to receive the image from the camera, comparecharacteristic features within the image to an object identificationdataset to identify object matches for a plurality of objects within theimage. The plurality of objects identified in the image may beidentified objects. The processing circuitry may be further configuredto determine a name for each identified object from the objectidentification dataset, determine locations of the identified objectswithin the field of view, and receive a user request to communicate theidentified objects within the field of view to a user via the inputdevice. The processing circuitry may be further configured to transmitthe name of each identified object in response to receiving the userrequest, receive a selected name from the user via the input device, anddetermine a selected object based on the selected name. The selectedobject may be one of the identified objects. The processing circuitrymay be further configured to transmit assistance feedback to the userindicating a position of the selected object within the field of viewvia the assistance feedback device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described some example embodiments in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example interaction between a user and an objectrecognition and presentation system according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 provides an example flowchart for object recognition andpresentation according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates example tracking according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a component for object recognition and presentation in theform of glasses with a camera according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a component for object recognition and presentation in theform of a retinal prosthesis according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows an example apparatus for object recognition andpresentation according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 7 shows an example flow chart for object recognition andpresentation according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allexample embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described andpictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to thescope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure.Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numeralsrefer to like elements throughout.

As used herein the term “or” is used as the logical or where any one ormore of the operands being true results in the statement being true. Asused herein, the phrase “based on” as used in, for example, “A is basedon B” indicates that B is a factor that determines A, but B is notnecessarily the only factor that determines A.

U.S. application Ser. No. 15/206,453, filed Jul. 11, 2016, is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

The advancement of medical device technology continues to provide newinnovations that can assist individuals in overcoming medicallimitations, such as the loss of sight. In the area of visualimpairment, great strides have been made in the area of visualprostheses to provide sight or enhance an individual's ability to see.Such visual prostheses or implants can operate in a manner thatessentially communicates directly with biological systems, such as theoptic nerve, to provide visual information to the individual's brain foranalysis and decision making.

By leveraging the abilities made available by a visual prosthesis andother vision enhancement medical devices, new forms of assistance can beprovided to the visually impaired to assist in tasks such as objectrecognition and presentation to the individual to facilitate interactionbetween the visually impaired individual and the objects in theirsurroundings.

According to various example embodiments, a technique is provided hereinto leverage image capture and assistance feedback systems to assist thevisually impaired with interactions with the objects in theirsurroundings. In this regard, images captured by a camera, for exampleaffixed to glasses or spectacles, can be analyzed to identify discreteobjects within the images. The identities or names of the objects may beprovided to the individual, for example, via audio feedback forselection by the user. Upon selection, for example, via a voice to textinterface, a modified version of the captured images may be provided tothe user, for example, via a visual prosthesis (e.g., retinalprosthesis, cortical implant, or the like), in a manner that filters orhighlights the selected object to assist the user with locating andinteracting with (e.g., picking up) the selected object.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example method 100 of interaction between a userand an object recognition and presentation system to improve a visuallyimpaired individual's ability to interact with objects in theirenvironment. To implement the example method 100, image capturing, audiooutput, audio input and feedback assistance devices may be involved.Further, processing circuitry for image analysis, speech synthesis,speech recognition, and presentation of feedback may also be utilized.

In the regard, the method 100 may begin with a scenario where a visuallyimpaired individual may wish to locate and drink from a mug at 102. At104, an image of objects on a table in front of the individual may becaptured, for example by a camera affixed to the individual's glasses,and, since the scene is unknown, the captured image may be analyzed toidentify at least some of the objects within the image. The scenecaptured in the image may be unknown. A variety of image analysistechniques can be used, according to various example embodiments, toidentify the objects including algorithms that leverage machine learningand, for example, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to identify theobjects. In general, according to some example embodiments, a comparisonof characteristic features within an image may be performed against anobject identification dataset to identify object matches for a pluralityof objects within the image. As shown at 104, for example, such acomparison has been performed and a calculator, a pen, and a mug havebeen identified.

Upon identifying objects within the captured image or images, the method100 may continue by determining a name for each of the identifiedobjects by leveraging, for example, nomenclature information associatedor integrated with the object identification dataset. At 106, speechsynthesis may be performed to prepare the determined names for output tothe user as audible speech via an audible output device at 108. Asshown, for example, the words “calculator,” “pen,” and “mug” may bespoken by the system.

At 110, the user may respond to the system with a verbal selection of anidentified object. In this example scenario, the user may speak “mug” tomake the selection. At 112, an audio input device may receive the user'sspeech selection of “mug” and perform a speech recognition analysis onthe received speech at 114 to determine which identified object the userhas selected.

Upon determining that the user has selected the mug, an imagemodification operation may be performed at 116 to filter or highlightthe selected object in the captured image. According to some exampleembodiments, a portion of the image associated with or surrounding theselected object may be isolated or cropped and contrasted with theremainder of the image to highlight the selected object and more clearlyreveal to the visually impaired user where, in the user's field of view,the selected object is located. In this regard, it can be seen at 116that a portion of the image associated with the mug has been isolatedand contrasted to more clearly present both the mug and its position inthe field of view to the user. At 116, the modified image may beprovided or displayed to the user for example, via communications with avisual prosthesis.

According to some example embodiments, a further modification to thecaptured image may be generated in the form of a stimulation output to avisual prosthesis at 118. In this regard, rather than or in addition tocropping and filtering (e.g., downsampling) the image with respect tothe selected object, the image may be modified such that a visualrepresentation of the position of the selected object within the fieldof view is provided. Such visual representation may be indicative of thedata that may be transmitted to a visual prosthesis for stimulation. Thevisual representation may be shaped or colored in a manner that makesthe representation readily discernable by an individual that is visuallyimpaired.

With the position information provided as feedback to the user, the usermay understand where in their surroundings an object of interest islocated, based on the highlighted position of the object in the field ofview. The user may then proceed to interact with the object, which, inthis example scenario, may involve picking up the mug and taking a sipof coffee, for example.

According to some example embodiments, FIG. 2 provides a detailed flowchart of another example method 200 for object recognition andpresentation. In this regard, at 202, a user may make a request for anobject in their field of view. In this regard, the request may be madein a variety of ways based on various example embodiments. For example,the user may speak a predefined phrase (e.g., “system, identifyobjects”), press a button, or the like that triggers a system to beginthe method 200 by analyzing captured images from a camera (e.g., atwo-dimension (2D) camera capturing a 2D image or a three-dimension (3D)camera capturing a 3D image) that is positioned in association with theuser's field of view. According to some example embodiments, a fourdimensional camera may be used, such as, a time of flight camera thatcaptures four dimensional images including RGB (Red Green Blue) videowith depth. If the system is not triggered, the method 200 may simplyloop at 202 until a triggering request occurs. In one embodiment, andnot shown at 202, image capturing may be repeatedly occurring at 202,such that one or more images have been captured when a triggeringrequest 202 does occur. In another embodiment, and not shown at 202, inaddition to image capturing, object recognition may also be occurring at204, such that one or more images have been recognized when a triggeringrequest 202 does occur.

If a request is made and the system is triggered, object recognition maybe performed by the object recognition engine 204. As mentioned above,object recognition may involve comparing characteristic features withinthe image to an object identification dataset to identify object matchesfor a plurality of objects within the image. According to some exampleembodiments, objects to be identified and the reference objects mayinclude faces of individuals. The object identification dataset may be aCNN. In the process of making the comparisons, a determination may bemade at 206 if known objects have been identified in the image. In thisregard, a confidence threshold may be set and only objects that areidentified that meet or exceed the confidence threshold may beconsidered identified objects.

If no known objects are found, the system may provide feedback to theuser that no known objects have been identified. A no known objectsresult may be output to the speech synthesis engine at 208 and the usermay be verbally informed that no known objects have been identified intheir field of view and the method may return to 202.

If known objects have been identified at 206, a bounding shape (e.g.,box) may be defined around the object in the image. Further, if knownobjects are identified, then the names of the objects may be determined,for example, from the object identification dataset, and the speechsynthesis engine 208 may be utilized to verbally output the names of theidentified objects using text-to-speech. Upon outputting the names ofthe identified objects, the system may await a user selection at 212 ofone of the identified objects by capturing audible information providedby the user. If a selection is not determined, then the system maycontinue to leverage the speech recognition engine 210 to determine aselection and may request additional information from the user.

Using the speech recognition engine 210, the system may determine theselected object from the user's speech and proceed to highlight theobject in the image at 214 and provide the highlighted image to the userto assist the user with locating the object in the user's field of view.To highlight the image, a variety of image processing filters may beapplied in order to enhance or increase the saliency of the selectedobject in the image while reducing the amount of visual informationpresented from the background. The bounding shape defined in associationwith the object recognition may be leveraged for the highlightingprocess. The type of processing filter used may be a function of aspecific user efficacy or preference. According to some exampleembodiments, a modified variation of the image may be output to the uservia a stimulation image that may be sent to a visual prosthesis. In thisregard, the stimulation image may include a brighter shape or region inthe area of the selected object in the image thereby assisting the userwith locating the selected object in their physical surroundings. Uponcompletion of their interaction with the selected object, the user mayquit or complete the request at 216 and return to 202.

To provide an improved user experience, according to some exampleembodiments, a sequence of images may be analyzed in view of the above,particularly since a user's field of view may be dynamically changingdue to, for example, head movement. As such, an object trackingcapability may be implemented that visually smooths image presentationsto avoid “jumpy” object recognition locations being provided to the userduring movement of the field of view and to stabilize the presentationto the user.

Since the comparison of image features to an object identification dataset (i.e., object recognition), using for example a CNN, may evaluatestill images instead of dynamic video scenes, object detection accuracycan decrease significantly when using video still captures from a movingcamera. As a result, undesirable spurious detections (possibly in theform of false negatives) may occur that diminish performance andutility. As such, according to some example embodiments, objectrecognition may be performed at a slower interval relative to a videoimage capture speed (e.g., 30 frames per second). Further, the imagesused for object recognition may be filtered and movement may beaccounted for using template matching techniques between objectrecognition events. For example, object identification may be performedon every n-th image (e.g., every third video image) after beingsubjected to filtering and image matching. A Kalman filter is oneexample of a temporal filter that focuses on stability and may beapplied in this context. Other example filters that may be alternativelyused in this regard include moving average filters and Gaussian temporalfilters. The goal of the image filtering is to improve tracking of theobjects over time, which is particularly relevant during times whenobject recognition fails to find a match. Thus, the application of thefilter provides temporal stability of the objects detected.

In this regard, with reference to FIG. 3, a process of operations forobject tracking and video image filtering is shown with respect to time.Although not shown in FIG. 3, it is understood that image capturing isbeing repeatedly performed (e.g., in a video mode) over time based onthe user's field of view over time. In this regard, at 302, an objectrecognition in the form of, for example, a CNN detection may beperformed to identify objects in a captured image. From this objectrecognition, a matching template may be defined that indicates therelative positions of objects or features within an image. The matchingtemplate may be used to track objects in between captured images orframes. The matching template may be derived from the most recentbounding box provided by the object recognition result. Once thematching template is derived, the matching template may be used to trackthe object even when object recognition fails to find the detectedobject. Subsequently, at 304, a filter (e.g., a Kalman filter) may beapplied to a subsequent captured image and a template match may beperformed at 306 on the subsequent image using the matching template toidentify movement of the camera and associated movement of the objectswithin the field of view. Accordingly, for each image, which may beassociated with time steps, a bounding shape (e.g., with a centroidwidth and height) may be adjusted. With the movement identified, thebounding shapes for the identified objects may be moved within thesubsequent image in a corresponding manner and the result may be usedfor presentation to the user (i.e., without having performed objectrecognition on the subsequent image). In this regard, the movement maybe represented by an estimated track state with, for example, fourelements that describe the current xy position of the object and a nextxy position of the object.

The filter (e.g., Kalman filter) may again be applied to a furthersubsequent image at 308, and yet another template match may be performedat 310 to relocate the identified objects and present the resultantmodified image (e.g., in the form of a stimulation image) to the user.At 312, a filter may again be applied to a subsequent image inpreparation for another object recognition at 314.

More specifically, with respect to tracking in view of the contextprovided above, according to some example embodiments, a Single ShotMultibox Detector (SSD) technique may be utilized. A Single ShotMultibox Detector (SSD) is one example of a high performing objectrecognition algorithm based on deep learning and convolutional neuralnetworks. In this regard, when an object has been first detected by anSSD, a track for that object may be considered “soft” and initializedfor the respective object since there is not yet an actual track. If theobject is detected using SSD a minimum number of times (e.g., 5), thenthe track may be considered “hard” and the object may be added to a listof objects that continues to be included in the scene. A Kalman filtermay be used at each timestep for the images in order to predict andmeasure the tracked object's bounding box centroid (x, y), width, andheight. As such, the four elements of the estimated track state may be[S_(x), S_(y), S_(w), and S_(h)] (e.g., x,y location and width andheight of the tracked object). It is noted that more than one object maybe tracked at a time.

To associate SSD-based detections with the tracked objects at eachiteration, three criteria may be used, namely, matched class labels,minimum intersection over union (IOU), and a maximum Euclidean distancebetween centroids. The minimum IOU threshold, T_(IOU), and the maximumdistance threshold, T_(D), may be determined empirically as follows. Asmentioned above, an estimated track state may be defined by fourelements that are related to an object's bounded box in x and ycoordinates. In this regard, the four elements of the estimated trackstate may be S_(x), S_(y), S_(w), and S_(h). As such, T_(IOU)=0.1 andT_(D)=2*H_(track) where H_(track) is the length of the hypotenuse formedby S_(w) and S_(h).

In the event that no track association is found for an SSD detection, anew track may be soft initialized. Conversely, if no matching SSDdetection is found for an existing hard track, then basic templatematching may be employed between the most recent SSD-detected boundingbox for that track and an expanded search region centered at the currenttrack centroid (S_(x), S_(y)). If the maximum normalized crosscoefficient metric exceeds a defined threshold, T_(TM), a match isdeclared and the image filter (e.g., Kalman) may be corrected with themeasured location in the input frame. The stored bounding box for thegiven track may not be updated until a new associated SSD detection hasbeen found. At each iteration, an age of each track may be incrementedor increased for soft and hard tracks. The age of tracks may be reset ifan SSD association has occurred or if a template has matched. Tracksthat exceed a threshold age may be removed, thereby ensuring that anyobjects with false positives or objects that have exited the camera'sfield of view are no longer processed.

Based on the foregoing, according to some example embodiments, a 3Dcamera and 3D images may be utilized in object recognition andpresentation as provided herein. However, the use of 3D may also allowsome example embodiments to leverage the third, depth dimension of theimage to further assist the visually impaired to interact with theirsurroundings. In this regard, the captured image or images may befiltered by depth, and areas of the scene with predetermined depth rangefrom the user may be considered for object recognition. In this regard,a 2D image may be formed at the predefined depth for use in objectrecognition and presentation as provided herein.

With respect to tracking an object, according to some exampleembodiments, even if an object has been identified through objectrecognition, the object may need to appear in a minimum number ofimages, either through object recognition or through template tracking,to be considered an identified object for further interaction withrespect to the user. As such, objects that only appear in a sequence ofimages for a relatively short period of time (number of images) need notbe considered an option for interaction with by the user.

Further, depth information may be used to perform auditory cueing. Auser may move their field of view to align with a selected object basedon a determined centroid of a selected object in 3D (or 2D) and aspatial sound that uses, for example, a Head-Related Transfer Function(HRTF) to cue the user to the relative location of the selected object.According to some example embodiments, such auditory information couldbe conveyed, for example, via open-ear, bone-conducting headphones thatdo not interfere with the user's normal hearing. Such auditory cuingfeedback may enable use by a broader visually impaired community outsideof, for example, visual prosthesis users.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show components of an example visual prosthesis in theform of a retinal prosthesis system that may be configured to performobject recognition and presentation in the form of the methods andtechniques described herein. FIG. 4 shows glasses 400 that are wornexternal to the body and FIG. 5 shows a retinal prosthesis 500.

Referring to FIG. 4, the glasses 400 may include, for example, a frame402 holding a camera 404, an external coil 410, an external coil support408, and an electronics housing 406 operably coupled to the externalcoil 410 and the camera 404. The electronics housing 406 may alsoenclose the processing and radio frequency circuitry. Glasses 400 mayalso have audio output and input (e.g., one or more microphones, one ormore speakers, bone-conduction headphones, etc.). In this configuration,the camera 404 may be configured to capture images including still orlive video and generate a digital representation of the field of view ofthe camera 404. The digital representation may be sent to a processingunit (possibly housed in the electronics housing 406). The processingunit (which may be the same or similar to processing circuitry 602) mayprocesses images as described herein. The processing unit, in accordancewith various example embodiments, may process images, as describedherein, and generate electrical stimulation patterns that may becommunicated to the retinal prosthesis 500. In another embodiment, theprocessing unit may process images and provide image data to a displaysuch as a heads-up display (HUD), head-mounted display (HMD), opticalhead-mounted display (OHMD), a see through HMD, etc. for augmentedreality. With regard to the retinal prosthesis 500, the electricalstimulation data (that represent a stimulation image) may be sent viathe external coil 410 and radio-frequency (RF) telemetry to an internalcoil 510 of the retinal prosthesis 500. The internal coil 510 mayreceive the RF communicated information and transmit to a processor ofthe electronics package 502, which may be a microprocessor, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmablegate array (FPGA). The processor of the electronics package 502 may inturn deliver stimulation to the retina of a subject via an electrodearray 514. Array 514, according to some example embodiments, may be a60-channel electrode array. The electrical stimulation patterns or datamay be passed via electrodes of the array 514 that cause retinal cellsto be stimulated. As described herein, the technique of stimulating theretinal cells to permit a user to visualize an image or information maybe one technique of rendering the image or information forinterpretation by the user.

With more specific reference to FIG. 5, a retinal prosthesis 500 isshown which may be implanted for interaction with the retina of avisually impaired individual. A flexible circuit associated with theimplanted portion of the retinal prosthesis 500 may include the array514 which is mounted by a retinal tack (not shown) or similar means tothe epiretinal surface. The array 514 may be electrically coupled by aflexible circuit cable 512, which pierces the sclera, to electronicspackage 502, external to the sclera. The electronics package 502 may,include a processor, and be electrically coupled to an internal coil510. The processor of the electronic package 502 may work together withthe processing unit of the electronics housing 406 to implement variousaspects of the example embodiments described herein. The internal coil510 may receive power and data from an external coil 410, which isexternal to the body as described above. The electronics package 502 andinternal coil 510 may be held together by a molded body 508. The moldedbody 508 may include suture tabs 504 for securing the retinal prosthesis500 in the body. The molded body 508 may narrow to form a strap 506which surrounds the sclera.

FIG. 6 provides a block diagram of an example of an apparatus 600configured to perform object recognition and presentation according tosome example embodiments. The glasses 400 and the retinal prosthesis 500may together be one example of the apparatus 600.

Accordingly, FIG. 6 shows block diagrams of some internal components ofan apparatus 600 that comprises processing circuitry 602 that may be inoperative communication with or embody, a communications interface 610,a user interface 608, and a device interface 616. The processingcircuitry 602 may interact with or embody a memory 604 and a processor606. The processing circuitry 602 is configurable to perform operationsdescribed herein. In this regard, the processing circuitry 602 may beconfigured to perform computational processing and memory managementaccording to an example embodiment. In some embodiments, the processingcircuitry 602 may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, theprocessing circuitry 602 may comprise one or more physical packages(e.g., chips) including materials, components or wires on a structuralassembly (e.g., a baseboard). The processing circuitry 602 may beconfigured to receive inputs (e.g., via peripheral components such asunder interface 608, communications interface 640, device interface 616,and including the memory 604), perform actions based on the inputs, andgenerate outputs (e.g., for provision to peripheral components). In anexample embodiment, the processing circuitry 602 may include one or moreinstances of a processor 606, associated circuitry, and memory 604. Assuch, the processing circuitry 602 may be embodied as a circuit chip(e.g., an integrated circuit chip, such as a field programmable gatearray (FPGA)) configured (e.g., with hardware, software or a combinationof hardware and software) to perform operations described herein.

In an example embodiment, the memory 604 may include one or morenon-transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile ornon-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory604 may be configured to store information, data, applications,instructions or the like for enabling, for example, object recognitionand presentation and to carry out various functions in accordance withexemplary embodiments. For example, the memory 604 could be configuredto buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry 602.Additionally or alternatively, the memory 604 could be configured tostore instructions for execution by the processing circuitry 602. Amongthe contents of the memory 604, applications may be stored for executionby the processing circuitry 602 in order to carry out the functionalityassociated with each respective application.

As mentioned above, the processing circuitry 602 may be embodied in anumber of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry 602 maybe embodied as various processing means such as one or more processors606 that may be in the form of a microprocessor or other processingelement, a coprocessor, a controller or various other computing orprocessing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example,an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA, or the like.In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 602 may be configuredto execute instructions stored in the memory 604 or otherwise accessibleto the processing circuitry 602. As such, whether configured by hardwareor by a combination of hardware and software, the processing circuitry602 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry—inthe form of processing circuitry 602) capable of performing operationsaccording to example embodiments while configured accordingly. Thus, forexample, when the processing circuitry 602 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA,or the like, the processing circuitry 602 may be specifically configuredhardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively,as another example, when the processing circuitry 602 is embodied as anexecutor of software instructions, the instructions may specificallyconfigure the processing circuitry 602 to perform the operationsdescribed herein.

The communication interface 610 may include one or more interfacemechanisms for enabling communication with other devices external toapparatus 600, via, for example, a network 690, such as a local areanetwork. In some cases, the communication interface 610 may be any meanssuch as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or acombination of hardware and software that is configured to receive ortransmit data from/to devices in communication with the processingcircuitry 602. The communications interface 610 may be a wired orwireless interface and may support various communications protocols.

The user interface 608 may be controlled by the processing circuitry 602to interact with a user. In this regard, via the user interface 608, theprocessing circuitry 602 may be configured to output to a user via anoutput device such as, for example, driving a display 612 and receiveinput from a user via an input device such as, for example, audio input622, which may be, for example, a microphone. The user interface 608 mayalso produce outputs, for example, via audio output 624, which may befor example, a speaker. According to some example embodiments, the userinterface may also operably couple to other user input devices such as,for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or the like.

The device interface 616 may be configured to interface with typicallyspecial purpose devices that are closely controlled (possibly viafirmware) by the processing circuitry 602. In this regard, the deviceinterface 616 may include a data bus that devices may be connected tofor interaction with the processing circuitry 602. Via the deviceinterface 616, the processing circuitry 602 may send control messages oroutput information to a device, and the processing circuitry 602 mayreceive circumstantial information from devices that may, at least inpart, modify the operation of processing circuitry 602 based on thecircumstantial information.

According to some example embodiments, the apparatus 600 may be operablycoupled to an assistance feedback device 618. According to some exampleembodiments, the assistance feedback device 618 may comprise, forexample, a visual prosthesis (e.g., retinal prosthesis 500) and acommunications interface (e.g., coupled coils) to the visual prosthesis.According to some example embodiments, the assistance feedback device618 may be a display (e.g., HUD, HMD, OHMD, etc.) that can providevisual feedback to a user that assists with interacting with theirsurroundings as provided herein. Further, according to some exampleembodiments, the assistance feedback device 618 may include acontrollable inertial device or the like that can provide hapticfeedback to a user. Further still, according to some exampleembodiments, the assistance feedback device 618 may include audio outputthat can provide feedback to the user. Additionally, in one embodiment,the assistance feedback device 618 may provide a combination of audio,visual, and haptic feedback to the user.

The device interface 616 may also operably couple to a camera 620 (e.g.,camera 404). The camera 620 may be configured to capture an image of afield of view and transmit that image, for example, to the processingcircuitry 602. The camera 620 may be configured to capture 2D or 3Dimages in a digital format and communicate the images to the processingcircuitry 602 for analysis as provided herein. The camera 620 may beconfigured to capture four dimensional images with one of the dimensionbeing depth (e.g., RGB-D).

In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 602 may be embodiedas, include or otherwise control, the apparatus 600 to perform objectrecognition and presentation as described herein. As such, in someembodiments, the processing circuitry 602 may be said to cause each ofthe operations described in connection with, for example, the methods100 and 200, the method of FIG. 7, and the functionalities otherwisedescribed herein. The processing circuitry 602 may therefore undertakethe corresponding functionalities responsive to execution ofinstructions or algorithms configuring the processing circuitry 602accordingly. The processing circuitry 602 may provide programmablecontrol signals, selections, and the like to control the operation ofthe apparatus 600 responsive to execution of instructions stored in thememory 604.

As such, according to some example embodiments, the processing circuitry602 may be configured to receive an image from the camera 620. Theprocessing circuitry 602 may also be configured to comparecharacteristic features within the image to an object identificationdataset (e.g., stored in the memory 604) to identify object matches fora plurality of objects within the image. The plurality of objectsidentified in the image may be referred to as identified objects. Theprocessing circuitry 602 may also be configured to determine a name foreach identified object from the object identification dataset, anddetermine locations of the identified objects within the field of view.The processing circuitry 602 may be configured to receive a user requestvia the user interface 608, or more specifically an input deviceoperably coupled to the user interface 608, to communicate theidentified objects within in the field of view to the user, andtransmit, via the user interface 608, the name of each identified objectin response to receiving the user request. Further, the processingcircuitry 602 may be configured to receive a selected name from the uservia, for example, an input device, and determine a selected object basedon the selected name. The selected object may be one of the identifiedobjects. The processing circuitry 602, via the assistance feedbackdevice 618, may also transmit assistance feedback to the user indicatinga position of the selected object within the field of view via theassistance feedback device 618.

According to some example embodiments, the processing circuitry 602 mayalso be configured to capture additional images within the field of viewof camera 620, and repeatedly compare characteristic features within atleast some of the additional images to the object identification datasetto identify object matches for the plurality of objects within theimage. Further, the processing circuitry 602 may be configured to applya filter, between iterations of comparing the characteristic features tothe object identification dataset, to more than one additional capturedimage over time to estimate positions of the identified objects based ona prior location determination of the identified objects. The filter maybe a Kalman filter applied to the more than one captured image. Further,the processing circuitry 602 may also be configured to perform at leastone image template match iteration, between iterations of comparing thecharacteristic features to the object identification dataset, to morethan one additional captured image over time to track movement of theobjects in the more than one additional captured image.

According to some example embodiments, the processing circuitry 602 maybe configured to cause the camera 620 to capture the image as athree-dimensional image. In this regards, according to some exampleembodiments, the processing circuitry 602 may be further configured tofilter the image at a target depth. Additionally, the processingcircuitry 602 may be configured to detect a depth of a target pointwithin the image (e.g., a centroid of a selected object) and output adynamically controlled audible output that is based on a depth of theselected object relative to a depth of the target point.

The processing circuitry 602 may also be configured to utilize aconvolution neural network to compare the characteristic features withinthe image to an object identification dataset. According to some exampleembodiments, the processing circuitry 602 may receive, via the userinterface 608, audible speech from the user and perform speechrecognition to determine the name of the selected object. According tosome example embodiments, the processing circuitry 602 may be configuredto provide assistance feedback by rendering a modified version of theimage (e.g., via the assistance feedback device 618) that contrasts theselected object or an area around the selected object with a remainderof the image. Further, according to some example embodiments, theprocessing circuitry 602 may be configured to render, via the assistancefeedback device 618, a modified version of the image with an area aroundthe selected object being cropped to define an object area and abackground area. For example, the background area may be modified tocreate contrast with the selected object, by, for example, darkening,disabling, or nullifying the pixels of the background area. Theprocessing circuitry 602 may be further configured to, according to someexample embodiments, provide assistance feedback by rendering, via theassistance feedback device 618, a representation of the selected object.The processing circuitry 602 may be further configured to, according tosome example embodiments, provide assistance feedback in the form ofaudible cueing, via an output device, to indicate a direction that theuser should move to interface with the selected object. In this regard,the processing circuitry 602 may be configured to cue the user move, forexample, their head to reposition the camera 620 to be centered at theselected object or move their hand in the captured image in a directionto engage the selected object. For example, the assistance feedback maybe verbal cues from an output device indicated that the user should, forexample, move their hand to the left. Additionally, the processingcircuitry 602 may be configured to support visual cuing in the eventthat a selected object moves out of the field of view. In this regard,the processing circuitry 620 may be configured to analyze the capturedimages and determine a location of the selected object relative to apoint (e.g., the center) of the field of view. The processing circuitry620 may be configured to transmit assistance feedback in the form of amodified image that includes an indicator of where the user should movethe field of view to bring the selected object back into the field ofview. According to some example embodiments, the indicator may be abright area at or near an edge of the modified image closest to adetermined position of the selected object.

Referring now to FIG. 7, which is a block diagram of an example methodfor object recognition and presentation. The example method may beimplemented by, for example, the apparatus 600. In this regard, theexample method may include, at 700, capturing, by a camera, an image ofa field of view of the camera (e.g., 404, 620), and, at 702 comparing,by processing circuitry, characteristic features within the image to anobject identification dataset to identify object matches for a pluralityof objects within the image. The plurality of objects identified in theimage may be referred to as the identified objects. The example methodmay further include, at 704, determining, by the processing circuitry, aname for each identified object from the object identification dataset,and, at 706, determining, by the processing circuitry, locations of theidentified objects within the field of view. Further, at 708, theexample method may further comprise receiving, by an input device, auser request to communicate the identified objects within in the fieldof view to the user. At 710, the example method may further includetransmitting, by an output device, the name of each identified object inresponse to receiving the user request, and, at 712, receiving, by aninput device, a selected name from the user. The example method mayfurther include, at 714, determining, by the processing circuitry, aselected object based on the selected name. In this regard, the selectedobject may be one of the identified objects. Additionally, at 716, theexample method may include providing, for example by a visual prosthesissuch as a retinal prosthesis, assistance feedback to the user indicatinga position of the selected object within the field of view.

According to some example embodiments, the example method may furtherinclude capturing additional images within the field of view, andrepeatedly comparing characteristic features within at least some of theadditional images to the object identification dataset to identifyobject matches for the plurality of objects within the image. Theexample method may further include applying a filter, between iterationsof comparing the characteristic features to the object identificationdataset, to more than one additional captured image over time toestimate positions of the identified objects based on a prior locationdetermination of the identified objects. The filter may be a Kalmanfilter that is applied to the more than one captured image.

According to some example embodiments, applying the filter may includeperforming at least one image template match iteration, betweeniterations of comparing the characteristic features to the objectidentification dataset, to more than one additional captured image overtime to track movement of the objects in the more than one additionalcaptured image. Further, according to some example embodiments, theexample method may include capturing the image as a three-dimensionalimage or filter the image at a target depth. The example method may alsoinclude detecting a depth of a target point within the image andoutputting a dynamically controlled audible output that is based on adepth of the selected object relative to a depth of the target point.Further, according for some example embodiments, the example method mayinclude using a convolution neural network to compare the characteristicfeatures within the image to an object identification dataset.

The example method may further include receiving the selected name ofthe object by receiving audible speech from the user and performingspeech recognition to determine the name of the selected object. Theexample method may further comprise providing assistance feedback byrendering a modified version of the image that contrasts the selectedobject or an area around the selected object with a remainder of theimage. According to some example embodiments, the example method mayfurther comprise providing assistance feedback by rendering a modifiedversion of the image with an area around the selected object beingcropped to define an object area and a background area. In this regard,the background area may be modified to create contrast. Further,according to some example embodiments, the example method may alsocomprise providing assistance feedback by rendering a representation ofthe selected object.

As used herein, the term “module” is intended to include acomputer-related entity, such as but not limited to hardware, software,or a combination of hardware and software. For example, a module may be,but is not limited to being a software or hardware implementation of aprocess, an object, an executable, and/or a thread of execution, whichmay be implemented via a processor or computer. By way of example, bothan application running on a computing device and/or the computing devicecan be a module. One or more modules can reside within a process and/orthread of execution and a module may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In addition, these modulescan execute from various computer readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The modules may communicate by way of localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets, such as data from one module interacting withanother module in a local system, distributed system, and/or across anetwork such as the Internet with other systems by way of the signal.Each respective module may perform one or more functions that will bedescribed in greater detail herein. However, it should be appreciatedthat although such example is described in terms of separate modulescorresponding to various functions performed, some examples need notnecessarily utilize modular architectures for employment of therespective different functions. Thus, for example, code may be sharedbetween different modules, or the processing circuitry itself may beconfigured to perform all of the functions described as being associatedwith the modules described herein. Furthermore, in the context of thisdisclosure, the term “module” should not be understood as a nonce wordto identify any generic means for performing functionalities of therespective modules. Instead, the term “module” should be understood tobe a modular entity that is specifically configured in, or can beoperably coupled to, processing circuitry to modify the behavior and/orcapability of the processing circuitry based on the hardware and/orsoftware that is added to or otherwise operably coupled to theprocessing circuitry to configure the processing circuitry accordingly.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certainexemplary combinations of elements or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements or functions may beprovided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinationsof elements or functions than those explicitly described above are alsocontemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Incases where advantages, benefits or solutions to problems are describedherein, it should be appreciated that such advantages, benefits orsolutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but notnecessarily all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits orsolutions described herein should not be thought of as being critical,required or essential to all embodiments or to that which is claimedherein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. An apparatus configured to perform objectrecognition and presentation, the apparatus comprising: a cameraconfigured to capture an image of a field of view and to transmit thatimage, the camera in communication with processing circuitry; anassistance feedback device in communication with the processingcircuitry; and an input device in communication with the processingcircuitry; the processing circuitry configured to: receive the imagefrom the camera; compare characteristic features within the image to anobject identification dataset to identify object matches for a pluralityof objects within the image, the plurality of objects identified in theimage being identified objects; determine a name for each identifiedobject from the object identification dataset; determine locations ofthe identified objects within the field of view; receive a user requestto communicate the identified objects within the field of view to a uservia the input device; transmit the name of each identified object inresponse to receiving the user request; receive a selected name from theuser via the input device; determine a selected object based on theselected name, the selected object being one of the identified objects;and transmit assistance feedback to the user indicating a position ofthe selected object within the field of view via the assistance feedbackdevice.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry isfurther configured to: capture additional images within the field ofview; repeatedly compare characteristic features within at least some ofthe additional images to the object identification dataset to identifyobject matches for the plurality of objects within the image; and applya filter, between iterations of comparing the characteristic features tothe object identification dataset, to more than one additional capturedimage over time to estimate positions of the identified objects based ona prior location determination of the identified objects.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the processing circuitry configured toapply the filter includes being configured to apply a Kalman filter tothe more than one captured image.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, whereinthe processing circuitry configured to apply the filter includes beingconfigured to perform at least one image template match iteration,between iterations of comparing the characteristic features to theobject identification dataset, to more than one additional capturedimage over time to track movement of the objects in the more than oneadditional captured image.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theprocessing circuitry configured to capture the image is configured tocapture the image as a four-dimensional image including depth.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to filter the image at a target depth.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured todetect a depth of a target point within the image and output adynamically controlled audible output that is based on a depth of theselected object relative to a depth of the target point.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to utilize a convolution neural network to compare thecharacteristic features within the image to an object identificationdataset.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitryconfigured to receive the selected name of the object includes beingconfigured to receive audible speech from the user and perform speechrecognition to determine the name of the selected object.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry configured toprovide assistance feedback includes being configured to render amodified version of the image that contrasts the selected object or anarea around the selected object with a remainder of the image.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry configured toprovide assistance feedback includes being configured to render amodified version of the image with an area around the selected objectbeing cropped to define an object area and a background area, andwherein the background area modified to create contrast with theselected object.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processingcircuitry configured to provide assistance feedback includes beingconfigured to render a representation of the selected object.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising glasses, wherein the camera isaffixed to the glasses, and wherein the processing circuitry is operablycoupled to the glasses.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theprocessing circuitry is operably coupled to a visual prosthesisconfigured to output the assistance feedback, the visual prosthesiscomprising an electrode array.
 15. A system comprising: a camera; anaudio output device; an audio input device; a visual prosthesis; andprocessing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to: capture,via the camera, an image of a field of view of the camera; comparecharacteristic features within the image to an object identificationdataset to identify object matches for a plurality of objects within theimage, the plurality of objects identified in the image being identifiedobjects; determine a name for each identified object from the objectidentification dataset; determine locations of the identified objectswithin the field of view; receive a user request, via the audio inputdevice, to communicate the objects within in the field of view to theuser; transmit, via the audio output device, the name of each identifiedobject in response to receiving the user request; receive, via the audioinput device, a selected name from the user; determine a selected objectbased on the selected name, the selected object being one of theidentified objects; and provide, via the visual prosthesis, assistancefeedback to the user as a rendered modified image that indicates aposition of the selected object within the field of view.
 16. The systemof claim 15, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:capture additional images within the field of view; repeatedly comparecharacteristic features within at least some of the additional images tothe object identification dataset to identify object matches for theplurality of objects within the image; apply a filter, betweeniterations of comparing the characteristic features to the objectidentification dataset, to more than one additional captured image overtime to estimate positions of the identified objects based on a priorlocation determination of the identified objects.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the processing circuitry configured to apply thefilter includes being configured to apply a Kalman filter to the morethan one captured image.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein theprocessing circuitry configured to apply the filter includes beingconfigured to perform at least one image template match iteration,between iterations of comparing the characteristic features to theobject identification dataset, to more than one additional capturedimage over time to track movement of the objects in the more than oneadditional captured image.
 19. A method comprising: capturing, by acamera, an image of a field of view of the camera; comparing, byprocessing circuitry, characteristic features within the image to anobject identification dataset to identify object matches for a pluralityof objects within the image, the plurality of objects identified in theimage being identified objects; determining, by the processingcircuitry, a name for each identified object from the objectidentification dataset; determining, by the processing circuitry,locations of the identified objects within the field of view; receiving,by an input device, a user request to communicate the identified objectswithin the field of view to the user; transmitting, by an output device,the name of each identified object in response to receiving the userrequest; receiving, by the input device, a selected name from the user;determining, by the processing circuitry, a selected object based on theselected name, the selected object being one of the identified objects;and providing, by a visual prosthesis, assistance feedback to the userindicating a position of the selected object within the field of view.20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: capturing additionalimages within the field of view; repeatedly comparing characteristicfeatures within at least some of the additional images to the objectidentification dataset to identify object matches for the plurality ofobjects within the image; applying a filter, between iterations ofcomparing the characteristic features to the object identificationdataset, to more than one additional captured image over time toestimate positions of the identified objects based on a prior locationdetermination of the identified objects.